Big Fun Under the Big Top! Double Dumbo Now in Flight Testing as Expansion Continues for the New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Magic Kingdom guests will blink back in amazement at the scene: not one, but two colorful Dumbos spinning through the sky above Storybook Circus as the expansion of the New Fantasyland continues.

To the delight of fans of the beloved Dumbo, the Flying Elephant attraction, a second Dumbo is in its soft-testing phase, with limited hours, taking its place alongside a Dumbo that opened in March. It’s part of the multiyear, largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history.

Not only are two Dumbos, side by side, unprecedented for a Disney park anywhere in the world, they even fly in oppositedirections: one clockwise, the other counterclockwise. A real circus act, if you will. Official opening is set for July.

The iconic attraction was inspired by “Dumbo,” the 1941 animated Disney feature film about a baby circus elephant born with huge ears. Dumbo and his mother suffer the taunts of other elephants and circus guests. But humiliation turns to triumph when Dumbo is surprised to discover, with the help of his faithful mouse friend, Timothy, that he can use the oversized ears to fly.

And “fly” is the sensation guests get aboard the Dumbo-shaped vehicles of Dumbo, the Flying Elephant. Young and old alike delight in controlling the up-and-down movement of their vehicles with the simple maneuver of a lever.

Both Dumbos feature shiny new red and gold colors (inspired by ’50s- and ’60s-era tin toys), beautiful newly-created signature illustrations from Disney animators and a new water feature circling the base of both attractions – a first for Dumbo.

The two Dumbos are connected to a new “big top” area (open limited hours in this soft-testing phase) allowing guests to immerse themselves in circus lore in a series of fun, interactive experiences before their spin with their favorite circus elephant.

Guests receive a circus ticket pager that virtually holds their place and notifies them when it’s their turn to board either Dumbo. In the meantime, fun-filled games and experiences are theirs to enjoy – in air-conditioned comfort. Guests electing the FASTPASS option bypass the tent en route to their flight with Dumbo.

Along with the two Dumbos, Storybook Circus now boasts the family-friendly Barnstormer coaster re-themed to The Great Goofini, the new Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station water play area and the Fantasyland Train Station, a stop on the Walt Disney World Railroad.

Do you have a favorite memory associated with Dumbo? Do you have a tradition associated with this iconic ride? Tell us in the comments below!

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1 thought on “Big Fun Under the Big Top! Double Dumbo Now in Flight Testing as Expansion Continues for the New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park”

I THOUGHT it looked like they would fly in opposite directions!
At the end of last year, my mother and I went down to MK. It was our first time down as two adults, with no children, and we rode every single ride (in fact, Lou, you read my email in one of your December shows – thanks for the advice!). It was a great last ride on the original Dumbo set up (as well as a great goodbye to Snow White), and I will always remember it!

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